The Journey Within: Finding Your True North Through Self-Awareness

In this episode, Solomon shares his journey through the MSM program at High University and the impact it has had on his leadership development and self-awareness. He discusses key mentors like Dr. B and Tammy Reynolds who helped him recognize the importance of understanding himself before leading others. Solomon also reflects on assessments and coaching that helped him identify areas for growth. By the end of the program, Solomon learned leadership is about projecting your authentic self so others can trust and follow you - a journey that starts within.

For more information about the Ohio University MSM Program, click this link!

Check out the Robert D. Walter Center for Strategic Leadership program here.

OnBrand Podcast Studios produced this episode. Special thanks to Audio Engineer Alex Winnenberg, Producer Nick Winnenberg, and Marketing Specialist Cori Stokes.

To subscribe to our monthly newsletter, click here.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01: 0:00

Welcome back to Leader Lounge Podcast. My name is Nick Wittenberg, joined by Dr. Amy Taylor-Bianco as well. And today we're here having some really amazing students at the Second LDC. One of those amazing students has joined us already. Go ahead and introduce

SPEAKER_00: 0:18

yourself. Thank you, Nick. My name is Solomon Opande. I'm originally from Kenya, Africa. I've been in the United States for going on 12 years now. I started my journey at our university, I think, four years ago, just about 2020, when I transferred from Columbus State Community College and I entered the program with the undergraduate program, which is Rice College of Engineering. And it was the technical operations management course, and I did that, and after finishing that, I realized that I still wanted more from Harvard. You wanted

SPEAKER_01: 0:58

to give them

SPEAKER_00: 0:58

more money

SPEAKER_01: 0:59

at that

SPEAKER_00: 0:59

point. Yes, yes, yes. And because the money was what? After graduating, my undergraduate, I think I got my first leadership role. So I knew that something is happening here. So I decided after that that I wanted to at least do my master's here. And I didn't know what I wanted, but I knew that I wanted to at least focus on leadership. So going back and forth, I started looking at the MSM program, and I found a video that Dr. B did, and I was very fascinated by that. And talking about the MSM program, I knew that this is exactly what I wanted because even though it was gonna be an online program, there was a lot of activities that was gonna at least interact with the students as if they were on campus. I knew that that was. And when I started the program, having Dr. B initially as my first professor, I think I knew that it was the right instrument. So that's actually how we started.

SPEAKER_01: 1:59

And yes. I love that. And looking at going from Ross College of Engineering from a technical operations side to MSM, which let's be real, it's a little bit more emotional, leadership driven, the whole nine yards. I'm sure it's kind of a shock because it's different cultures, different organizations And so what was some of your major takeaways during that transition?

SPEAKER_00: 2:16

So even as a scientist, I believe I am, but I also had a softer side. So I knew there was something that had to come out. So transitioning, they always called me a soft engineer or a soft scientist. So I knew that there was something that I needed to add to that, at least bring that part of me out. So coming in and transitioning from the technical side to the more emotional side, as you put it, kind of almost fit in. So I didn't, it wasn't so much of a shock. I just actually, I came to the realization that there was a side of me that was still dormant that needed to come out. and brought that out very, very well.

SPEAKER_01: 2:55

I love that. I love that. And Dr. B, I felt the same sales pitch with Dr. B as well. MSM student, I had her as undergrad. I'm like, oh, okay, if she says it's right, it's going good. I know she was a major mentor for you through the programs. Can you talk a little bit about what that meant to you? So

SPEAKER_00: 3:10

Dr. B is, I think I would call her I mean, she almost pointed me to my true north. Because talking the first course that we took, that is leading teams and individuals, she talked about leadership as if it were a service. And that was a differentiator for me, because I always thought Because every time I was in an environment where business was talked about, it was like, how much can you get from these people? So that when you manage people, it's what you extract for them. So everything is transactional. But then when I started this, in this class, she was talking about, although you're going to be transacting, but also it's something about you. So it's so much about you as a leader trying to give out than taking so that when you do those things and you create that safe space, then the result comes and whatever you are looking for from your team will naturally evolve into this business benefit that you're looking for. That idea was very fascinating and I knew that this is something that I really wanted to do. So she built that in and I think The way she put it, when you're leading a team, it's not so much a team, you're leading yourself. So you have to find yourself first before you find your team. Because when that happens, then there's authenticity. And then you're building that relationship from a place of trust. And I think that she brought that so much out that I realized that, you know what, I wanted to be a part of this. And then she focused on the you so that you take care of you first before you take over your team. And then what you project out is what your team is going to be like. And I think that's very important. And I think that's something we transferred through. And then she talked about when I'm with, when I'm finished with you, you will see the same thing going on progressively through the professor. You'll find out. And then, you know, that's where I think the team and Chimeli and I think Tim's wife was... Oh, Tammy? Tammy, yeah. I think all those came together, but I think the start was with Dr. B. I think she really kind of started the whole thing

SPEAKER_01: 5:29

rolling. 100%. And you've had another power couple we have at College of Business, too, with Tim and Tammy Reynolds. Yes. And they came, I think it was the first year as an undergrad, was their first year at Ohio University. So watching them go from, hey, I'm new here, to such an amazing experience has been so fun to watch and see. So can you tell me a little bit about the impact that they both had in your program through here?

SPEAKER_00: 5:48

So Tammy... When I started on the HR part of my, because I was taking a certificate in HR, so when she took, when that started, and she comes into this environment with, you see someone who is, you know, always, She started with a smile, and then she says, I'm here for you. You're going to be the one driving the conversation. So that everything that she talks about is how you're going to build your team, and how this is going to impact your team. And it has to come from that place, a very authentic place. And then she talks about her family and her husband. She says, you know, my husband is better than me. When you meet him, you'll find out that what I'm giving you is nothing because I've learned so much from you, man. Oh, no way. Jamie takes the cake once we realize she

SPEAKER_01: 6:51

knows what's going on. Tim just kind of tags along.

SPEAKER_00: 6:55

But I think what happens is that I think she projects what's coming. And then I think when Tim comes along and then you see the full picture. I think what Tim does is that he signals that It's the end of now, the technical part of it, is now we're going to focus on you.

SPEAKER_01: 7:16

Right.

SPEAKER_00: 7:16

How you are imagining as a leader. And that imagination is going to come when you realize that is when you start going to make an impact as a leader. And I think that... that has really built me up to a point where i feel like i'm not just a mind but i feel like now i'm walking into those footsteps and i'm starting to make those footprints as a leader and i've seen that in the impact that i make on my team

SPEAKER_01: 7:40

because you're starting with yourself first then moving out to your team group and letting that have a bigger business

SPEAKER_00: 7:45

absolutely and i think what dr b started with was like leading teams and individuals so that And then now it's evolving into now it's self-awareness. It's now you. Because when you build you, now it's like building the team. It's like from the inside out and then that projects the team itself.

SPEAKER_01: 8:01

Yeah,

SPEAKER_00: 8:01

perfect. Good.

SPEAKER_01: 8:02

We'll do a quick intermission. Hello, welcome. Hello. Sorry, we

SPEAKER_02: 8:07

want to get started.

SPEAKER_01: 8:09

You're totally, totally good. So we're using these little phone mics so everything you're doing is going to record you automatically. Mostly audio is going to be sequenced through there. So that looks a little bit different than having a big old bulky microphone. Yeah,

SPEAKER_02: 8:19

that's pretty nice.

SPEAKER_01: 8:20

Yeah, we're trying to so that so far on this episode we've covered impact and his opinion biggest impact is this person called dr b i don't know if you've met her before but seems pretty great to me i don't know so dr b and then tim and tammy reynolds impact the panel organization also talking about what it's been like to go through the program and then learn how to lead yourself lead others and lead the teams so do you have any major questions you want to ask to take the conversation direction, or you may just keep...

SPEAKER_02: 8:56

Yeah, let me just

SPEAKER_01: 8:59

give you a second. I can keep going if you want.

SPEAKER_02: 9:01

No. Well, we'll see if it leads, but let's laugh at me.

SPEAKER_01: 9:07

Okay, go for it.

SPEAKER_02: 9:08

All right. So, Solomon, when you came into the program, I was already so impressed by your background and what you've done before. And I thought, okay, how are we going to take him to the next level? Because he already has so many of the pieces, so much experience, so much work as a leader, you know, really kind of moving from the technical expertise up to the leader side. And I'm wondering... how you think you'll keep using. I mean, you're not done yet, but you're close. You've got a great capstone to go that I think you'll love. But how you're gonna keep using and kind of keep developing, if there's any maybe habits or things that you learned that you can take beyond the program into your leadership.

SPEAKER_00: 10:02

That's a great question. So I think, When I was coming to the program, the thing that really worked for me very well was the analytics side. I'm very analytical. You have tons of experience. Yes, so that was... Before I joined the program, I was so much of, you know, give me the facts, I use them to show you what you need to do. And that's pretty much what I did. I mean, I stayed to myself, and I did these things, and I always told, you know, stuff to people, data to people. This is what you're doing right, this is what you're doing wrong. And sometimes that, you know, didn't come out, you know, the right way. And sometimes people just threw it aside and say, you know what, you know, maybe go back again, because... The background wasn't so soft. I mean, in the landing sometimes, it wasn't very soft. But I think the MSN program, what it did to me is like, it made me identify how, number one, to present, if there's a problem, to present the problem in a way that it fits the strategy, the overall strategy of the company, but also shows why it is a problem, so that I will give facts and figures, yes, but also show that I know just beyond the facts and figures. And then also identifying the people, the stakeholders that the particular issue will be affecting, the impact where it is, and also the benefits of that. And the MSN program made me realize that it's not just about the facts and figures. It's about also the people involved. you know, how you present these issues. And not only that, how you let the team know that the benefits are going to impact them in a way that is going to be part of what they want, so that it's solution-oriented, but it comes from them. So that even if it's your solution, they should feel like it's coming from them. I think that, starting from Dr. B's class, managing team and individuals, I started picking up that, so that how do you present, how do you interact with an individual, and then how do you interact of the team. So then you build them individually, but also when they're in a team, you also build them as a team. Then you recognize individuals and you also recognize teams. So that there is that, it's separate, but yet it's equal. So then moving into the decision making with Dr. Chamele, that just almost like, okay, Now, I've been making decisions like sometimes I run into things and say, well, here we go. But then now I start learning how this process goes and the mindset of how when you make a decision, how does it affect the other person. Then moving into Tammy's class and then going into Tim's class. So all these things put together, I think what they've done to me is they make me aware of who I am, number one, so that I know my true north. When I find that now, I know how to drive the change that I need, but also to drive all the spending decisions or the current decisions or the one that they're going to be. So that all the time, my current state informs my future state. But there's a way for me to be able to present that. And I think this program has done that very, very well. I've also made me aware of the people that I can call the critical players, you know, in my surrounding. If I have something that I need to communicate, who do I take it to? Someone who will listen to me. Or how do I express it in a way that someone will, they will be able to pick that in a way that, I leave breadcrumbs along the way, so that whoever is sensitive to that will pick it up, and I know where to leave my breadcrumbs, if that makes sense. It does.

SPEAKER_02: 13:42

Makes a lot of sense. I think learning to lead through others so you can have an even bigger impact, like you're learning to get your whole team kind of in line that you can just keep increasing what you're doing.

SPEAKER_01: 13:55

Yeah. Follow-up question, talk about knowing yourself. For me, one of the major factors that I love that did contribute to it was the Hogan assessment. Because I remember when we did the proctored Hogan assessment, I was just like, this isn't right at all. That's not who I am. This is garbage. And I'm like, oh my God, that is who I am. So what kind of impact, I mean, did you do the Hogan? What kind of impact did that have on you?

SPEAKER_00: 14:15

I did. And she gave me good feedback and coaching through it. In fact, those ones were so good. They taught me how to be honest. Because sometimes you try to be very technical or try to kind of cheat the system. You're trying to do things. Who does this

SPEAKER_01: 14:32

want me to be?

SPEAKER_00: 14:33

Yes. One of the assumptions I took first before the organ, I tried to look at the ideal me or the ideal leader. And I tried to answer those questions as the ideal one. And the result came up with something that I wasn't. But then when I started being true to myself and just actually being honest and answering the way I feel I should, it started showing me the areas, especially the areas of opportunity where I could improve on. And I didn't... Literally, I did not say, you know what, I don't believe this. Some of them were very, very critical. I mean, I felt like, you know what, if this is truly me, then I have a long way to go. But I took it as a development tool. Someone really cared about me that did this thing for me so that I could find myself out, so I could improve in these areas. And I was very, very deliberate that those areas that were pointed out to me, I think when I was talking to Dr. B when she was giving me the feedback and the coaching, I think she mentioned a few things. And I remember you saying this area of going out there and interacting with people. She was very honest. And I tried. See, when you talk to me, you think I'm a very outgoing person. I'm not. I'm an introvert. But when I get around people, people think I'm very extrovert. But I'm not. But when she told me, Salman, for you to grow, you need to go out there and start meeting people because that's where the opportunities are. I'm not there yet, but I'm doing it a little bit more. And I've realized that every time I do that, doors open. And I think that's important. So the Hogan assessment really did something for me. And it wasn't just the assessment. It was what followed after the assessment. She was very up and honest. I think she's done it twice. She did it early on in the program. I think we did it also.

SPEAKER_02: 16:28

Yeah, we did yours the second time.

SPEAKER_00: 16:29

You're like,

SPEAKER_01: 16:30

I

SPEAKER_00: 16:30

didn't play the first one, so we're doing it again. So yeah, so those assessments, I think they're very critical. I think they're very, very critical, yes.

SPEAKER_01: 16:38

Good. Love that. Any other standout points of the MSM program that you think was helpful for your professional journey? I

SPEAKER_00: 16:46

think overall, if I was to say one thing for the MSM program, I would say that it's a journey that you start out looking outside into others, but then you end up looking inward to yourself. Dang. Wow. There's the tattoo. God, I feel like that's the episode title right there. So, yeah, because that's where I feel like I'm. It's a journey that started out looking at my team, but now it's introspective because I realize that the epitome of leadership is not so much about what you do for the others, what you do for yourself, so that once you find that true self, then you project that out there. Then the team will know they're attending you because that's when they start trusting you for who you are. That's when they do everything for you. And I think that for me is probably the most important aspect of any leadership quality when you are there projecting you. I think businesses spend a lot of time. This is one thing that I've talked about even to my senior managers, that if you want the team to give you all, they have to trust you. They have to know that you're honest and everything you're trying to do, you're doing because you care. I mean, it's a business, yes. It's money making. But if you want to make more money for the business, because that's what we do, But you have also to be intentional about your team and you have to give them exactly what you want them to give to you. Because if you invest in your team, then your team will invest in you and then the customer at the end will feel that impact because everything else follows after that. So like I said, it started out with outward, but it's now for me as a leader and MSM Program has really made me find myself as a leader.

SPEAKER_01: 18:32

It's mic drop moment right there. I think that's good. Cool. That's roughly 20 minutes too, which is perfect. Is there any final comments you want to hit on before we wrap up the episode? No, I just want to thank Dr. B.

SPEAKER_00: 18:43

And I extend this to her and the entire faculty, I mean faculty of the MSM program. I think what they're doing is more than just a college master's program. I think you're building leaders. I think what you're doing out there, the impact will be felt beyond Ohio University and I think that is something that no one can take away from you as a director of the program. I think you've done a phenomenal job of also trying to find how the students feel about this thing. The difference between the MSM program and any MBA program is that this is very personal. You feel like it's because she's always asking, what can I do? What can we do? And then all these other activities that are happening, like the one we are doing right now, I think what they do is they build that confidence and also they create the avenue for the students to be able to start thinking beyond just the program. You know, what are we going to do out there? I mean, I'm doing some things outside my job, you know, back at home in Kenya, and I've started also doing other things here that is just beyond, I mean, having the social impact. So those only comes from the people, the professors that we interact with, especially Tim Reynolds. talks about this impact beyond just the place that you are. You go beyond that. And it keeps telling you that. As a leader, it's not just here. It's beyond that little cycle that you're in. There has to be that social impact, by the way. And I think that's what I can say. So for all the students that are here right now, or those who are prospective students, this program is going to give you more than just your books that you're going to learn and all these courses that we talked about. It's going to teach you about leadership beyond the surrounding of your business. business. You're going to know more about people yourself and you know how to impact the world. Yes. Dang. All right. You're just going to be the host for the rest of these episodes.